Krunal Pandya has emerged as one of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s biggest assets in IPL 2025, as highlighted by former India opener Aakash Chopra. RCB bowling has been a key part of their unbeaten away record, with 5 wins from 5 away matches, and Krunal Pandya’s performances have been pivotal in this transformation.
Krunal Pandya contributed with figures of 2/25, helping RCB restrict Punjab Kings to 157/6. RCB then chased the target with seven wickets and seven balls to spare. It was quite a dominant display of batting and bowling from RCB who are getting acclimatized to different conditions and are dominating the opposition.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar remains economical- Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra was seen speaking on his You Tube channel. Aakash Chopra pointed out that RCB’s fast bowlers; Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal & Josh Hazlewood have been quite effective. Aakash Chopra stated that the addition of Josh Hazlewood has been incredible.
“Their economy rates in the powerplay and death overs are towards the top. Top and tail, they are absolutely outstanding. Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) hasn’t picked up wickets with the new ball, but he remains economical. Yash Dayal picks up wickets. Josh Hazlewood has been an outstanding upgrade”, said Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra heaps praise on Krunal Pandya
Aakash Chopra emphasized how the bowling unit has been a standout for RCB this season. He also lauded Krunal Pandya’s rise, noting how quickly he is nearing his best-ever IPL performance. At present, Josh Hazlewood tops RCB’s wicket-taker list with 12 wickets at an economy of 8.39, followed by Krunal Pandya (10), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (8), Yash Dayal (7), and Suyash Sharma (4).
“The one thing that is happening good for RCB this year is the upgrade in bowling, in which the fast bowling has been outstanding. There is one more thing as well. Krunal Pandya, after eight games, is already close to his best season. He is probably only two wickets behind his best season. Suyash Sharma also bowled well. Romario Shepherd picked up just one wicket, but it was Shreyas Iyer’s,” Chopra added.
Critical phase for PBKS & RCB
PBKS got a reality check when, once again, their batting lineup got exposed. In the previous game against RCB, Nehal Wadhera rescued the team and won the match & against KKR, the bowlers scripted a famous low-scoring victory. Shreyas Iyer’s form has been quite unpredictable with only 3 half-centuries in 8 innings, and apart from that, all scores have been less than 30.
PBKS quickly needs to regroup, they have a long gap till 26th April when they will play against KKR. With 5 wins from 8 matches, they are very much in the competition, but things can turn out to be ugly quite quickly.
RCB, on the other hand, would be booming with confidence, looking quite invincible and have a horses-for-courses way to defeat the opponent. RCB’s next match is against RR pm 24th April, but in their home ground which would be a stern test as they have lost all 3 of their matches.